Campaign contributions

This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in Illinois in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contritubions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[1]

Year

Number of candidates

Total contributions

2010

45

$19,051,437

2008

74

$25,856,554

2006

77

$27,398,829

2004

37

$17,305,449

2002

120

$34,677,544

2000

41

$11,250,862

1998

78

$14,695,913

1996

87

$13,837,309

In 2010, the total amount of contributions raised in state senate campaigns was $19,051,437. The top 10 donors were: [2]

Donor

Amount

Illinois Senate Democratic Fund

$3,849,507

Republican State Senate Campaign Cmte of Illinois

$1,493,465

Illinois Democratic Party

$1,454,869

Illinois Republican Party

$1,016,221

Illinois Health Care Association

$459,144

Illinois Education Association

$395,908

Illinois State Medical Society

$315,142

Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois

$282,582

AT&T

$282,495

Illinois Laborers

$261,618

Qualifications

Article IV of the Illinois Constitution states: To be eligible to serve as a member of the General Assembly, a person must be a United States citizen, at least 21 years old, and for the two years preceding his election or appointment a resident of the district which he is to represent.

Impact of redistricting

Between 2000-2010, Illinois saw a large number of citizens move from the Democratic stronghold of Chicago to the more Republican friendly suburbs. With Democrats in charge of the legislature and governorship, however, they were able to draw maps beneficial to their party. This resulted in a number of districts that begin in Chicago and wind out into the suburbs like the spokes in a wheel. Democrats released their plan with little data and were criticized from all sides. The map, which Republicans said would guarantee a GOP minority for the next decade, was quickly passed and signed into law. Republicans challenged the map in court but saw the case thrown out.

These tables show the old state Senate districts with the most and least population following the 2010 census - thus the ones that most needed to be changed. The target population for new districts was 217,468.[3]

List of candidates

Note: Candidate lists can change frequently throughout the election season. Ballotpedia staff will be re-examining the list on a monthly basis for any changes. This list was last examined on August 1, 2012. For more information about Ballotpedia's election coverage plan, click here. If you are aware of a candidate we've missed or one incorrectly listed, please send an email to: Tyler King.